The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-27
A FAMOUS TRAGEDY RECALLED.
The Slayer of Albert ID. Richardson Seek
Shelter In q Station-House.

The Slayer of Albert ID. Richardson Seeks
Shelter in q Station-House.
New York Herald.
An old and decrepit man. with tottering foot
steps, entered the West Thirtieth street station
house at early hour yesterday morning. An
unkempt white beard covered his face, his
clothing was threadbare, and SLOUGH hat but
poorly protected his eyes from the glittering
gas jets that burned on the desk In front of the
sergeant.
The old man looked timidly around the sta
said: "Will you permit ole. broken-down
man to shelter himself from the rain under
your roof tonight" The sergeant told him
that tho station house lodging-room was not in
condition 20 receive dodgers, they only
allowed that privilege to a few women during
the summer months.
into the storm again, whom all need is the shell
ter Of a roof over my headl'
What is your name9" asked the sergeant.
Daniel Mcfarland"
THAT name sounds strangely familiar" said
Sergeant Sheldon. 'Where have heard it be-
forel"
of the world when that name appeared in the
columns of every newspaper in the land If you
think back you will remember the Staying of
Albert d. Richardson in the Office of tho New
York Tribune by Daniel Mcfarland. l am that
Daniel Mcfarland, and l am now tramping
these city streets without place to rest my
head"
''Doorman, said the Sergeant. 'eive this man
comfortable cell to sleep in, and let him rest
there until morning"
The Mcfarland Richardson murder trial
probably created q greater sensation than any
trial of modern times. In 1869 Daniel McFar-
land was an author and writer for several of the
daily papers.
On the 25th day of November 1869, two pistol
shots rang out loud and clear in the counting
room of the New York Tribune. Albert D
Richardson, an author and playwright, whe had
been leaning the desk reading a letter.
dropped to the floor, and Daniel Mcfarland,
with smoking revolver in his hand. walked
coolly out of the Office into the street and disap
peared in the fast gathering crowd. scene of
excitement epsued, the injured man was carried
in an inseusible condition to the Astor House.
and for hours physicians labored without avail
in trying to locate the bullets and relieve the
suffering man.
At 10 o'clock that same night Police Captain
Allaire arrested Daniel Mcfarland. and took
him to the Astor House. where he was identified
by the dying man.
The trouble between the two men had been OF
long standing and had been occasioned by tho
suspicion of Daniel Mcfarland of the relations
existing between his wife and his victim. Albert
d. Richardson. Mcfarland aud his wife had
lived unhappy together and finally she left
him. going to live at the house of Samuel Sim
clair, of the Tribune.
This desertion preyed upon the mind of Nc
Farland, and when he heard that his wife had
obtained divorce from him obscure
place in the West he wandered through the
streets ia frenzied condition. failing recog-
shooting Of Richardson.
Meanwhile his wife had gone on the stage, but
with poor success.
Richardson fingered until the I'd of December
in great agony, but before he died he was mar
ried to Mrs. Mcfarland by the late Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher in Room lis at the Astor
House.
Mcfarland was tried before Recorder Hackett.
and was defended by John Graham and Ell
bridge 7. Gerry. The trial created wide
spr cad sensation. owing to the prominence Of Nc